Mobile mortar



W. RUF

MOBILE MORTAR Jan. 7, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 22, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 W. RUF

MOBILE MORTAR Jan. 7, 1958 Filed NOV. 22, 1955 MOBILE MORTAR Walter Rnf, Bottighofen, Switzerland Application November 22, 1955, Serial No. 548,477

Claims priority, application Switzerland November 26, 1954 Claims. 01. 599-40 The present invention relates to a mine thrower.

According to the invention, the mine thrower is characterised in that its base plate is connected to a vehicle through a raising and lowering device, the aiming supports being also connected to the vehicle.

The raising and lowering device allows the base plate, which in the case of heavy mine throwers has a considerable weight, to be lowered quickly and easily onto the ground, so that the mine thrower can be rapidly brought into the firing position.

The accompanying drawing illustrates by way of examples two embodiments of the object of the invention, where:

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a self-propelled mine thrower,

Fig. 2 a plan view of the same,

Fig. 3 a view of the rear,

Fig. 4 a part of the self-propelled mine thrower in the firing position,

Fig. 5 a longitudinal section through another self-propelled mine thrower,

Fig. 6 a plan view of the same,

Fig. 7 a view of the rear in the firing position, and

Fig. 8 a part of the self-propelled mine thrower in the firing position.

According to the first embodiment (Figs. 14), the rectangular base plate 1, strengthened with ribs 2, is suspended through the articulations 3 arranged at opposite sides to two hydraulically operated telescopic carriers 4, which are attached to the rear of the vehicle and by means of which the base plate may, as desired, be held in the raised position shown in Figs. l-3, or be lowered onto the ground as illustrated in Fig. 4. The two aiming supports 5 of the barrel 6 are adjustably held on the vehicle with their ends in guides 7. The barrel is connected to the base plate 1 by the ball joint 8.

The upper structure of the vehicle is designed as selfsupporting armoured body 9, whose back wall projects to the rear with a horizontal edge 10 formed by two intersecting surfaces. A part 11 of this back wall can be let downwards on a hinge. This part 11 has an opening 12 (see Fig. 2), through which the barrel projects when in the firing position, whilst a platform 13 for the men serving the weapon is formed by the hinged-down part beside this opening (see Fig. 4). In this position the part 11 is attached with its bent-up top edge 14 to a stirrup 15 welded onto the armoured body 9. Since the base plate 1 is larger than the opening 12, when the base plate is raised the part 11 is carried with it until the base plate 1 and the part 11 come into the position illustrated in Fig. 1. When the base plate is lowered, the part 11 also descends under its own weight, then remaining suspended on the stirrup 15.

For steadying the mine thrower while firing, telescopic supports 16 are attached to the armoured body 9; these are adapted to rest on the ground and can be drawn up when the vehicle has to travel.

In the armoured body 9, an engine 18 is fitted, which 2,818,781 iPatented Jan. 7, 1958 ice may drive only two wheels 17, or all four wheels, as desired. Further, suflicient room is provided in the vehicle for the gun crew and material. Because of the self-supporting construction of the upper part of the vehicle, this mine thrower is also comparatively light and easy to run across country.

The seat 19 of the driver of the vehicle is adjustable in height. In the raised position the driver can see over the upper edge of the armoured body. In the lower position the drivers head is completely below the upper edge of the armoured body and the periscope 20 is used when travelling in this position.

In the second embodiment (Figs. 5-8), the rectangular base plate 1, strengthened with ribs 2, is connected through two ropes 3, 3a to two horizontal cylinders 4a which are arranged in the vehicle and have hydraulically operated pistons. The ropes are guided over pulleys fitted on the vehicle and allow the base plate at the rear of the vehicle either to be held in the raised position shown in Fig. 5, or to be lowered onto the ground as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8. For each rope a single pulley 4' and a double pulley 4" are fitted on the vehicle. Another double pulley 4" is fixed on the end of the piston rod, which can be moved backwards and forwards in the cylinder 4:: by means of the above-mentioned piston.

As usual in block and tackle, the ropes are guided round the pulleys in such a way that a certain displacement of the pulley 4" causes the ends of the two ropes, and therefore the base plate 1, to be displaced through a distance twice as great. Thus a comparatively short cylinder may be sufiicient, even if the base plate is forced for instance 50 cm. or more into the earth when shooting on soft ground, as can be seen in Fig. 8.

Instead of ropes 3', 3a, chains or other hoisting members could be adopted. For the rest this mine thrower is similar to the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1-4.

What is claimed is:

1. A mobile mortar comprising, in combination, a wheeled body, a mortar barrel, pivot means pivotally supporting said mortar barrel at its forward end in said body, said body being provided with an opening in its lower portion for passage of the rear barrel end exteriorly of the body, a base plate pivotally connected to said rear barrel end adapted to rest upon the ground when the barrel is in extended position for firing and to lie against said body across said opening when the barrel is in retracted position within the body, and means connected to said body and selectively to said base plate for moving said base plate and the barrel connected thereto into extended position and retracted position.

2. A mobile mortar comprising, in combination, a wheeled body, a mortar barrel, pivot means pivotally supporting said mortar barrel at its forward end in said body, said body being provided with an opening in its lower portion for passage of the rear barrel end exteriorly of the body, a base plate pivotally connected to said rear barrel end adapted to rest upon the ground when the barrel is in extended position for firing and to lie against said body across said opening when the barrel is in re tracted position within the body, and hydraulically-operated piston and cylinder units connected at one end to said body and at the other end to opposite sides of said base plate for selectively moving said base plate and the barrel connected thereto into extended position and retracted position.

3. A mobile mortar comprising, in combination, a wheeled body, a mortar barrel, pivot means pivotally supporting said mortar barrel at its forward end in said body, said body being provided with an opening in its lower portion for passage of the rear barrel end exteriorly of the body, a base plate pivotally connected to said rear barrel end adapted to rest upon the ground when the barrel is in extended position for firing and to lie against said body across said opening when the barrel is in-retracted position within the body and means comprising pulleys and cables connected to said body and opposite sides of said base plate, and driving means for said cables for selectively moving said base plate and the barrel con nected thereto into extended position and retracted position.

4. A mobile mortar comprising, in combination, a Wheeled body, a mortar barrel, pivot means pivotall-y supporting said mortar barrel at itsforward end in said body, said body having a rear hinged portion provided with an opening in its lower portion for passage of the rear barrel end exteriorly of the body, a base plate pivotally connected to said rear barrel end adapted to rest upon the ground when the barrel is in extended position for firing and to lie against said body acrosssaid opening when the barrel is in retracted position within the body, and means connected to said body and selectively to said base plate for moving said base plate and the barrel connected thereto into extended position and retracted position.

5. A mobile mortar comprising, in combination, a wheeled body, a mortar barrel pivot means pivotally supporting said mortar barrel at its forward end in said body,

4 said body having a rear hinged portion provided with an opening in its lower portion for passage of the rear barrel end exteriorly of the body, a base plate pivotally connected to said rear barrel end adapted to rest upon the ground when the barrel is in extended position for firing and to lie against said body across said opening when the barrel is in retracted position within the body, and means connected to said body and selectively to said base plate for moving said base plate and the barrel connected thereto into extended position and retracted position, said base plate being positioned to engage said hinged portion adjacent said opening to hold said portion against said body when the base plate is in retracted position and to release said hinged portion for downward pivoting move ment under gravity to a predetermined open position when said base plate is moved into extended position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,249,542 Spence Dec. 11, 1917 2,197,816 Tate Apr. 23, 1940 2,382,836 Walter Aug. 14, 1945 2,549,835 McCann et al Apr. 24, 1951 

